The big and little sister tradition evolved from the new student receptions coordinated by the College’s Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), established in 1903. The YWCA hosted a reception for incoming students at the beginning of each fall semester where the “old girls” would welcome the “new girls.” Relationships between upper and underclassmen naturally grew into mentorships, with the older, wiser “big sister” taking responsibility for educating the younger, inexperienced “little sister” on the ins and outs of college life. As time passed, the program was formalized and big sister/little sister assignments were made between incoming freshman and members of the junior class prior to the start of the fall semester. Both girls could then communicate over the summer, and once new students arrived on campus in the fall, they had the benefit of having a friend waiting to welcome them and help them transition to life as a Hood student. Throughout their years together at Hood, big and little sisters encouraged, advised, consoled, celebrated, and cared about each other, expressing their gratitude through song and gesture. The program has often been closely intertwined with other beloved Hood traditions – parties, dinners, receptions, and picnics, such as the one at High Knob in Gambrill State Park; the singing of Hood songs; playful late-night pranks; and the receiving of dinks. With the College’s transition to a fully coeducational setting in fall 2003, the more inclusive big sib/little sib terminology was developed. Although the name had changed, the spirit of tradition remained the same and the program continued for several more years until the last big sibs graduated with the class of 2009. While no longer observed, the legacy of this memorable Hood tradition continues to live on through the enduring friendships formed by generations of Hood students.
